20 Minutes with Atticus Ross & Claudia Sarne of 12 ROUNDS

Claudia, How would you describe the music?

I’m not quite sure, I don’t know if I want to really. I don’t want to be rude, but if we start tagging ourselves then maybe I’m selling us a bit short. I’d prefer it people would just listen and grade us on either being good or poor. Do you like our music?

Yes, we wouldn’t be chatting today if not. It’s really hard for me to interview artists that I don’t respect in some way shape or form.

That’s refreshing, I’ve found that many journalists are not that way. What do you like about us?

It’s a bit frightening, while very dramatic. I’m a sucker for moody music. I consider Spiritualized to be my prototype for the perfect band.

I quite like them, that’s very good company to be included with. I definitely would agree with you on the drama. Our lives have so many moments to them that a lot of people are afraid to capture, we’re not afraid too.

How has the overall response to the record been?

Fairly good, of course our record company would like for us to sell more records but I don’t feel that we’ll ever be that type of group. We’ve gone through so much trying to defend who we are and what we do. I’m not quite sure if people understand us.

Would you be afraid if they started to?

Maybe, that’s very possible, but I can tell you that it would be because they came around not us.

How does all of this work in a live setting?

Very good, I love performing. That’s where we really get to present ourselves. There can be two people in the room and that’s fine by me, as long as I can get up there.

What do you want people to get out of your songs?

I don’t really have a good answer for that one. If we can challenge people I suppose that’s nice. If we can strike an emotional chord (the) that’s even better.

Would you say that 12 rounds falls under an art vibe?

Hopefully, every one wants to be artists with their work. That’s part of the problem today, a lot of people don’t strive to create something that expresses who they are. So, I’d like to say so, but maybe not in the way that you are thinking.

Which is?

You know, I don’t know, when people saying artistic they normally mean unconsumable and I think that (we are) very consumable once given a proper listen.

Agreed, but you can say that from the packaging on down that there’s a bit of theater going on.

Somewhat, I like that word much better. I have to go to the bathroom, would you like to speak with Atticus?

Sure…

Hello…

How’s it going Atticus?

Ok, well actually.

Can you give me some of the band’s history?

Well, a lot of it’s boring but we used to have another member, who got really into drugs, so we had to get rid of him. That was when we were on another label, who asked some things of us that we were not ready to do, so we ended up without a label, so we got another one and now we’re here speaking with you.

I’m assuming Nothing Records is a much freer environment for you to work under.

Yes, much better than most, but they still want to make their money back. No matter how you look at it they still wan to make money, so right now we’re trying to satisfy them while we satisfy ourselves.

It’s one of the few labels who’s roster I enjoy for the most part.

Who don’t you like? That’s the most interesting part to me.

Marilyn Manson, barring the track “Cake & Sodomy”, I can’t say that I’ve listened to anything he’s done more than once of my own accord.

Hmm, interesting do you like Nine Inch Nails?

How could you not? Trent’s a genius. I can’t see him putting out anything that was less than brilliant.

I quite agree with you there.

As for you, how do you approach songwriting?

Each one comes together differently. The root of it is just hard work and really deep feelings. We put a lot into it. These are more than songs. They define who we are. Even in com[arison to my work with Bomb The Bass, what 12 Rounds offers is something wickedly bizzare yet charming